The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration

What The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration does

The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration (IIAR) is a nonprofit technical membership organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, dedicated to the safe and effective use of natural refrigerants, primarily ammonia (R-717), and increasingly CO2 and hydrocarbons. The organization serves engineers, contractors, operators, regulators, and end users across the industrial refrigeration value chain, with a stated reach of 4,000+ members across 38+ countries. Its core activities are standards development, technical publication, credentialing, and convening.

IIAR's product and content portfolio includes nine or more ANSI-accredited consensus standards (including ANSI/IIAR 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9), a library of 500+ technical papers, the Academy of Natural Refrigerants certificate programs (CRL credential and individual courses priced $300-$1,590), training videos, a digital Resource Site, a mobile application, and periodic workshops. The organization is the accredited Standards Developing Organization for the U.S. natural-refrigeration sector, publishing the technical baseline referenced by regulators and practitioners. Annual meetings (49th in Tampa in April 2027, 50th in Portland in March 2028) serve as the principal industry convocation.

Revenue is generated through tiered membership dues ($100 special members up to $10,000 corporate), paid certificate and credentialing courses, publications and standards sales, event registration and sponsorship, and allied-association programming. The organization supplements core operations through the parallel Natural Refrigeration Foundation and a network of 14+ international allied associations. Leadership is a 14-person executive and staff team led by President Gary Schrift, with active technical committees driving the standards and publications pipeline.

Name

The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration

Legal name

The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration

Website

https://iiar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IIAR is a nonprofit technical membership organization that develops ANSI-accredited standards, credentialing, and publications for the natural refrigerants industry, primarily ammonia, serving engineers, contractors, operators, and regulators across 38+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services (Industrial Refrigeration Standards and Certification)

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

Keywords

• Natural refrigeration standards
• Ammonia refrigeration training
• Industrial refrigeration certification
• Refrigeration safety compliance
• PSM RMP certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from individual, company, and group memberships. Group Company Membership ranges from $2,000 (2-5 individuals) to $10,000 (21-25 individuals), Individual Company Membership at $1,000, and Special Membership at $100 for academic, affiliate, retired, or student categories.
2. Education and Training Programs: Revenue from certificate courses (IIAR 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, PSM/RMP, PHA, ARM, Estimating Accidental Refrigerant Releases), video training series licensing (Series I, II, III), and institutional enrollment discounts. Certificate courses range from $300-$1,590 per person depending on membership status.
3. Events and Conferences: Registration fees and sponsorships from Annual Meetings and Expos. Upcoming events include 49th Annual Meeting in Tampa, FL (April 2027) and 50th Annual Meeting in Portland, OR (March 2028).
4. Publications and Standards: Sale of publications including CO2 Handbook, Refrigeration Piping Handbook, standards documents, and compliance templates (ARM Templates, PSM/RMP Templates).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IIAR is a nonprofit technical membership association that develops and publishes ANSI-accredited standards for the natural refrigeration industry and delivers certificate courses, video training programs, technical handbooks, and compliance templates. Its offerings target engineers, contractors, end users, manufacturers, consultants, academics, and regulators working with ammonia, CO2, and hydrocarbon refrigeration systems. Revenue is generated through annual membership dues, paid certification and training programs, conference registrations and sponsorships, and standards/publications sales.

Product overview

IIAR (International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration) is a technical member organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services focused on natural refrigerants, particularly ammonia-based refrigeration systems. The organization's offerings include: (1) a multi-module Certificate Course Program (Academy of Natural Refrigerants) covering standards, safety, PSM/RMP compliance, and hazard analysis; (2) three Video Training Series covering basic ammonia refrigeration, safety procedures, and oil maintenance, available in English and Spanish; (3) published Standards (ANSI/IIAR 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9); (4) technical Handbooks (CO2 Handbook, Refrigeration Piping Handbook); (5) template tools (ARM Templates, PSM/RMP Templates); (6) an IIAR Mobile App; (7) an IIAR Resource Site; and (8) the Industrial Refrigeration Workshop. These products serve manufacturers, engineers, contractors, end-users, academics, and other professionals across the natural refrigeration industry, with offerings available in both English and Spanish.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Academy of Natural Refrigerants: Long-term education program addressing the need for competent professionals in natural refrigeration system design, safety and maintenance. Offers certificate courses based on ASTM standards.

Products and services

• Academy of Natural Refrigerants Certificate Program

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• AEFYT (Asociación de Empresas de Refrigeración y Climatización)minorOthersSpanish association for refrigeration and air conditioning companies. Allied association partner of IIAR in promoting natural refrigerants globally.
• ACAIRE (Asociación Colombiana de Acondicionamiento del Aire)minorOthersColombian association for air conditioning and refrigeration. Allied association partner.
• AIRAH (Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating)minorOthersAustralian professional institute for refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating. Allied association partner.
• ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)minorOthersGlobal professional society focused on building systems technology, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. Allied association partner.
• Cámara Chilena de Refrigeración y ClimatizaciónminorOthersChilean Chamber of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Allied association partner.
• CAR (Chinese Association of Refrigeration)minorOthersChinese Association of Refrigeration. Allied association partner representing China.
• CIEMIminorOthersAllied association partner of IIAR.
• eurammonminorOthersEuropean association promoting natural refrigerants. Allied association partner.
• GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance)minorOthersGlobal alliance connecting businesses that operate within the cold chain. Allied association partner.
• IOR (Institute of Refrigeration)minorOthersUK-based Institute of Refrigeration. Allied association partner.
• IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration)minorOthersInternational Institute of Refrigeration. Allied association partner.
• NASRC (North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council)minorOthersNon-profit organization advancing sustainable refrigeration in North America. Allied association partner.
• RETA (Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association)minorOthersAssociation for refrigerating engineers and technicians. Allied association partner.
• TRA (Thailand Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Association)minorOthersThailand Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Association. Allied association partner.
• Natural Refrigeration FoundationminorOthersFoundation promoting the use of natural refrigerants through research and scholarships. Part of IIAR ecosystem.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• AIRAH (Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating): AIRAH is the Australian professional body for HVAC&R professionals delivering training, certification, and conferences. It mirrors IIAR's member-driven model in the Australian market.
• CAR (Chinese Association of Refrigeration): CAR is the Chinese national industry association for refrigeration and air conditioning. It is an IIAR allied partner serving the same professional constituency within China.
• IOR (Institute of Refrigeration): IOR is the UK-based professional institute for refrigeration professionals offering certifications, publications, and events. It is an IIAR allied partner that serves the same membership archetypes (engineers, technicians, contractors) primarily in the UK and Commonwealth.
• AEFYT (Asociación de Empresas de Refrigeración y Climatización): AEFYT is the Spanish refrigeration and air conditioning industry association. It is an IIAR allied partner representing Spanish-speaking industry professionals.

Direct peers

• eurammon: eurammon is a European initiative promoting natural refrigerants across industry, policy, and academia. It is an IIAR allied partner with an overlapping natural-refrigerant advocacy mission in the European market.
• IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration): IIR is a Paris-based intergovernmental scientific and technical organization for refrigeration with global membership and standards influence. It directly parallels IIAR's international standards and knowledge-dissemination mission, making it the closest functional peer.
• RETA (Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association): RETA is a US-based association focused on industrial refrigeration operators and technicians with overlapping membership with IIAR. It is an allied partner targeting similar competency development for working professionals.

Emerging players

• NASRC (North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council): NASRC is a non-profit advancing sustainable refrigeration in North America through advocacy and resources. It is an IIAR allied partner with overlapping natural refrigerant advocacy, particularly around policy.

Broad incumbents

• ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers): ASHRAE is a much larger professional society covering the entire HVAC&R industry with broader standards, larger conferences, and overlapping natural refrigerant content. It is an IIAR allied partner but also a broad incumbent that could compete in adjacent standards and education areas.
• GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance): GCCA is a global alliance of companies operating in the temperature-controlled cold chain with adjacent refrigeration interests. It is an IIAR allied partner serving a broader end-user constituency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvTrlTpMTu9bpBW32S43Q6g
• Facebookfacebook.com/434659729919432
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-international-institute-of-ammonia-refrigeration
• Instagraminstagram.com/allnaturalrefrigeration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration